The effect of Ti and Zr content on the structure, mechanics and energy-release characteristics of Ti–Zr–Ta alloys

Energetic structural materials (ESMs) are a new type of structural materials with bearing and damage characteristics. In this work the microstructure, mechanical properties and energy release characteristics of multi-element Ti–Zr–Ta alloys with good casting performance were studied. The microstructure of the TixZrTa alloys gradually change from BCC + HCP to single BCC structure with the increase of Ti. While the Ti2ZryTa alloys was still uniform and single BCC structure with the increase of Zr. The evolution of microstructure and composition then greatly affect the mechanical properties and energy-release characteristics of Ti–Zr–Ta alloys. The synergistic effect of dual phase structure increases the fracture strain of TixZrTa (x = 0.2, 0.5) with the Ti content decreases, while the fracture strain of TixZrTa (x = 2.0, 3.0, 4.0) gradually increase with the Ti content increases caused by the annihilation of the obstacles for dislocation movement. And as Zr content increases, the fracture strain of Ti2ZryTa alloys decrease, then the oxidation reaction rate and fragmentation degree gradually increase. The higher oxidation rate and the lager exposed oxidation area jointly leads the higher releasing energy efficiency of TixZrTa alloys with low Ti content and Ti2ZryTa alloys with high Zr content.